The Harlem City Council held its first of three public millage hearings on Monday, July 17.
City Manager Debbie Moore told council members the city is proposing to keep the millage rate the same at 9.35 mills.
“The net digest increased by about 14.95% from 2022, 10.45% of this was from reassessments of existing property and 4.50% was for other changes to the tax digest,” Moore said.
By keeping the rate the same, the city would see a 10% increase in property taxes, Moore said.
“The taxes are in effect, but our millage rate has not,” Moore said. “Only increasing because there’s an increase to the digest.”
Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker clarified that the increase was because homes in Harlem had been assessed higher than previously. Moore said yes, the market is what’s causing the increase.
Moore also spoke about the Property Tax Relief Grant the state is giving for this year.
“Homes will be getting an additional $18,000 exemption on their bills, which will come off the assessed value which is the 40% value which you pay your taxes on,” Moore said. “This will also come off their county taxes and school taxes. The credit will just automatically show up on your bill, it’s nothing the public has to apply for.”
Councilmember John Thigpen said the city is not responsible for the assessments, that is the county and the city is keeping their millage rate the same.
“The tax revenue is going up because of the assessments,” Thigpen said.
It was added that the city has kept the same millage rate since 2016. There were no members of the public in attendance at the meeting.
The second hearing will be held during the work session on Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. The third hearing will be held during the city council meeting on Monday, July 24 at 7 p.m. The millage rate will be voted on following the third hearing. Both meetings will be held in the Harlem Public Safety Building, 110 W. Milledgeville Road, Harlem.
For more information on the millage rate, visit the Columbia County Tax Commissioners website.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
